PRINCESS ANNE, MD – (April 17, 2020) – In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Extension, like its university counterpart, is ramping up efforts to offer virtual instruction for its programs. UMES Extension is committed to continuing its mission of providing research-based solutions to the community. The first virtual event happens Thursday, April 30, when its “Be Smart, Drench Smart” workshop, originally scheduled for March 26, will be held from 9 a.m. to noon via Zoom.
“With the increased public health concerns and Governor Hogan’s “stay at home” order, UMES Extension has cancelled or postponed all workshops, training sessions and classes,” said Dr. E. Nelson Escobar, interim associate administrator for UMES Extension. “As soon as the Governor’s order changes, our normal activities will resume. In the meantime, some classes, webinars and other programs will be available via Zoom, WebEx, Google Hangouts, Twitter, Facebook, etc.”
Participants can expect to learn about gastrointestinal parasites that badger sheep and goats, anthelmintic resistance, practices to manage parasite burdens and how to properly use the FAMACHA© score card, a tool to identify and monitor parasite burdens. In addition, participants may earn certification by taking a quiz following the webinar and then sending the instructor a cell phone video that shows them doing the procedure.
Escobar, also an assistant professor and small ruminant specialist at UMES, is the instructor for the webinar. His interest in small ruminants began as a graduate student at the University of Maryland, College Park and has expanded through work at UMES and in Texas and Oklahoma with dairy, meat and fiber goats.
Registration, which ends Thursday, April 30, is $15 per individual. To register or for detailed information, visit: famachatest2020.eventbrite.com. Questions can be directed to Escobar (enescobar@umes.edu) at 410-651-7930 or Niamh Shortt (naimh@futureharvestcasa.org), field school director at Future Harvest CASA at 443-880-1247. Future Harvest Chesapeake Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture is co-sponsoring the event.
Suzanne Waters Street, agricultural communications specialist, School of Agricultural & Natural Sciences, 410-621-3850, sstreet@umes.edu.
